Collaborative Comprehensive Needs Assessment
An LEA receiving a T4PA allocation of at least $30,000 must conduct a comprehensive needs assessment before receiving its allocation and repeat at least once every three years to examine its needs for improvement in the three content areas.
An LEA receiving a T4PA allocation less than $30,000 is not required to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment. It is, however, considered a best practice to do so. LEAs must still consult with required T4PA stakeholders, but are only required to focus on one of the three T4PA content areas (well-rounded, safe and healthy, or technology).
What do we need? How can we improve?
LEAs must regularly consult with stakeholders in the community they serve. This ongoing consultation helps improve activities and ensure they work well with other community efforts. According to the law, LEAs need ongoing consultation with stakeholders, who should review relevant data to identify the most urgent needs of students and schools. T4PA requires these consultation meetings to happen before any decisions are made.
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Document Meetings: meeting dates, attendance records, and sign in sheets with stakeholders' roles
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An LEA must try its best to contact all necessary stakeholders for consultation. If any stakeholder declines or doesn’t respond after this effort, the LEA should keep records (like letters, emails, or meeting notes) to show they made a genuine attempt. This documentation may be needed for review by TEA or an auditor.
Where do we
allocate funds?
For an LEA that receives at least $30,000, use no less than 20% of funds to develop and implement programs and activities that support access to a well-rounded education and that—
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are coordinated with other schools and community-based services and programs;
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may be conducted in partnership with an institution of higher education, business, nonprofit organization, community-based organization, or other public or private entity with a demonstrated record of success in implementing activities; and
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may include one or more activities or programs that provide well-rounded educational opportunities to all students.
Are you completing a CCNA every three (3) years?
Questions to consider:
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Which stakeholders can help identify local needs and root causes? How can they be involved early and meaningfully throughout the process?
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What data is needed to understand local needs?
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Do our current systems fully capture the needs of our most vulnerable students, including those facing challenges that may not be reflected in surveys or data (e.g., trauma experienced by refugee students)?
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Are there systemic inequities contributing to some local needs?
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How should we prioritize needs when several important ones are identified?
FAQ
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Check out the Collaborative Comprehensive Needs Assessment Toolkit maintained by the Title I, Part A Capacity Building Initiative. There are great templates and guides ready for use!